Starting a janitorial business from scratch or expanding an existing one is a lot. 

Typically, you have a vision for the future, informed by business goals, the right skills, and the knowledge to get started. 

But the money to kick things off? That’s where the real challenge is. 

Loans aren’t always an option because of their high interest rates and frustrating repayment terms. 

A better alternative is to secure grants—financial assistance that doesn’t need to be repaid—to run your janitorial business. 

However, many business owners don’t realize grants like these exist, and those who do struggle with the complex application process. 

So, where do you find, qualify for, and successfully apply for grants? 

That’s what you’ll learn in this guide.

What are business grants for janitorial businesses?

Grants for janitorial businesses are free funding to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses without the burden of debt from loans. 

Government agencies, corporations, or non-profit organizations often award these grants to support a business’s operations—cleaning equipment costs, training, and marketing expenses.

To access these funds, janitorial businesses must typically meet specific eligibility requirements, such as:

•  Being a minority-owned or women-owned business.

• Operating within a specific cleaning category, e.g., eco-friendly practices or technology-driven approach. 

• Offering job creation opportunities.

What are the different types of grants available?

Grants are generally classified into the three categories you’ll find below.

Government grants 

These include funding from the federal government supporting region-specific small business development or environmental sustainability, e.g., Grants.gov. 

State and local government programs also offer funding, like the Illinois infrastructure grants, the San Francisco Accessibility Grant, or the Texas Enterprise Fund for businesses in their communities.  While you may not find grants exclusive to cleaning services, these government grants are good options to leverage for your janitorial business. 

Private and corporate grants 

Several corporate organizations with philanthropic initiatives provide grants to small businesses, including janitorial services. Examples include Honeycomb Credit, Verizon, and more. Non-profit private institutions also offer grants to cleaning businesses, helping them grow and improve their services.

Industry-specific grants 

Some niche organizations provide funding specifically for cleaning businesses. However, industry-specific grants for cleaning businesses are relatively rare compared to other options.

That said, check out how to secure financial assistance from any grant category below.

How can you get a grant for your janitorial business?

Securing grants for your cleaning business takes effort and strategy. You must identify the right grants, read eligibility requirements, prepare application documents, and submit a compelling application. 

To simplify the process, here’s a step-by-step checklist to follow. 

Step 1: Find grants that fit your business

The best grants are those that match your janitorial business needs, qualifications, and location.

If you’re a veteran, minority, or woman cleaning business owner, apply for grants tailored to your demographic. Here are some options: 

• Galaxy of Stars: Supports women and minority business owners with $2,450.

• Amber Grants: Awards $10,000 each month to women-owned businesses.

• Cartier Women’s Initiative: Offers women-led companies $30,000 to $100,000. 

• Veteran Shark Tank: Grants $50,000 to veterans with innovative business ideas.  

In addition to these targeted opportunities, cleaning business owners who are part of an association can secure grants from their organization. 

For example, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) provides up to $4,000 in grants to help members with business operations such as marketing your cleaning service, hiring, or purchasing new equipment. It also awards $3,000 scholarships to member dependents.

Furthermore, check federal and state grants for small and medium-sized businesses like yours. A good place to start for federal grants is Grants.gov. It’s a dedicated database listing funds the federal government will give companies from all backgrounds, including janitorial services.  

For state grants, search for small business grants on the state website. 

Here are funding opportunities depending on your state:

• Secrestos Grants: $2,500 for businesses operating in any state within the US except New York, Hawaii, Florida, Alaska, and Rhode Island.

• Texas Enterprise Fund: Awards deal-closing grants to expanding businesses that create approximately 75 new jobs. The grant is calculated based on the average wage of new employees.

• Wayne County Annual Kickstart Competition: This competition offers $5,000 to $20,000 to new and growing businesses (under three years old) in Wayne County, New York.

Lastly, don’t overlook industry-specific grants. While rare, funds from trade service businesses or cleaning organizations are valuable. 

Step 2: Check eligibility requirements

Next, confirm that your cleaning business is eligible for the grants before applying. 

Most guarantors list these requirements on their website, boldly on the grant page, or in the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section. Checking this in advance saves you time and effort, ensuring you don’t apply for grants you don’t qualify for. 

While requirements  vary, here are common factors grantors consider:

• Business location: Some grants are restricted to cities, counties, or states.

• Business owner’s age: Most grants require applicants to be at least 18 years old before applying.

• Business registration documents: Many require proof that your business is fully registered. 

• Annual revenue: How much the cleaning business makes in a year. 

• Business structure: Is the business a sole proprietorship or an LLC?

• Ownership status: Is it minority-owned, veteran-owned, or women-owned?

Step 3: Prepare your application

Start by gathering all the key documents—business plan, financial statement, and registration document—based on the grantors' requirements. Having these ready ensures a smooth application process.

Next, describe your janitorial business idea and unique selling point. Considering many grants aren’t specific to cleaning businesses, you must ensure your application effectively communicates a unique strategy. 

For instance, if you use a special eco-cleaning approach, highlight that in the application. If your business is focused on commercial cleaning in minority regions, that’s something to highlight, too. 

In addition, you want to: 

• Be clear about your business needs.

• Demonstrate how the grant will help your business. 

• Submit complete applications before the deadline.

• Include examples and case studies to strengthen your application. 

Step 4: Submit and follow up

With all the necessary documents in place, go ahead and apply. 

Before you do that: 

• Double-check all your documents and confirm you’ve met all the grantor’s requirements. 

• Remember to customize each application to ensure you’re not submitting generic applications.

Lastly, you should follow up to confirm your grant application is being processed. Check the grantor’s page for contact information and reach out.

What are the most common challenges in securing grants?

Grants offer a great way to fund your janitorial business without payment obligations. They can be a game-changer for startup costs, equipment, or new hires. 

But while it offers an exciting opportunity, the process comes with several challenges, such as: 

1. High competition for limited funds

Business grants are awesome, no doubt. But you’re not the only one eyeing them. Thousands of businesses—cleaning and other industries—apply for the same opportunities, making approval chances quite slim. 

With such fierce competition, how do you stand out?

The key is a strategic approach and compelling application.

Here’s how to improve your chances:

• Find grants that fit your business needs and sign up for alerts to stay ahead of new opportunities. This way, you’re one of the first applicants.

• Avoid late submissions. Plan ample time to review the requirements and ensure everything is in order. 

• Personalize your applications. With grantors reviewing many applications, adding personality will help you stand out. 

2. Complex and time-consuming application process

Applying for grants, especially government-funded ones, can be overwhelming. Some require loads of paperwork, detailed financial reports, and hours of effort. 

While many private or company grants have a more straightforward process, tackling complex applications doesn’t have to be a headache. Here’s how to make it easier:

• Collaborate with a grant writer or consultant. They’re professionals with years of experience applying for grants, so that they can guide you through the process. 

• Create a spreadsheet of the items to be submitted and who is responsible for each item. 

• Go over the requirements several times with your team. 

• Use file management tools like Google Drive, OneDrive, or ClickUp to organize documents.

3. Difficulty in proving business need

Some grants require businesses to demonstrate their positive impact on the community. For a cleaning commercial business, that’s tricky. 

How do you prove your cleaning services contribute more to the community beyond keeping spaces spotless? How do you demonstrate the business’s innovation? 

What opportunities does your business create besides cleaning more spaces?

Here’s how to strengthen your case:

• Hire an experienced grant writer to help justify why your cleaning business needs funding. 

• Leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm and refine your business impact statement with the grant’s objectives. 

• Discuss the business’s future with your team members and what the grant will help you achieve. 

• Share your story. Outline what inspired you to start a janitorial service. How has it impacted your family, employees, and clients?

• Provide financial statements to demonstrate challenges, growth paths, and how the grant will make a difference. 

4. Keeping grant funds compliant

Managing grant funds is challenging when strict usage guidelines are in place. Some grants require detailed reports on money spent, and failing to comply means losing trust or possibly losing future funding. 

To manage compliance:

• Review the fine print to understand restrictions on grant usage. You want to note: 

  • What the funds can be used for, e.g., expansion or purchasing new janitorial equipment.

  • Any financial and progress reports you’re required to submit.

  • Other requirements: For instance, Cartier Women's Initiative expects recipients to participate in a virtual training for one year.

• Create a dedicated account to separate grant funds and track expenses.

• Leverage accounting software to monitor funds and prepare reports.

• Submit accurate reports outlining how the grant was used.  

Pro tips for securing janitorial business grants

Landing business grants for your cleaning service can be tough, but the following tips can increase your chances.

1. Apply to multiple grants

Widening your grant net increases your chances of receiving business funding. While the application process can be frustrating, receiving a business grant is worth it. 

Research and outline different grants in a spreadsheet to track deadlines and requirements involved, like this:

2. Keep financial records updated

Up-to-date financials are crucial when it’s time to apply for grants. They not only make the process smoother but also help avoid last-minute surprises. 

Even if the business’s annual revenue is low, make it a practice to monitor and report expenses. Using accounting software is an efficient way to stay on top of this, ensuring you have the documents ready when applying for grants or credit lines.

3. Customize each grant application

Generic applications hurt your chances of securing a grant. Thousands of businesses, similar and beyond your industry, compete for the same opportunity. And many will likely be using a generic template from Google or AI. 

To stand out, tailor your responses with your brand voice and a compelling narrative. Communicate the urgency of the funding for your business and highlight the specific impact it would have. For instance, you could say, “We’re launching a cleaning program poised to bring affordable janitorial services to low-income communities, and this grant will help us achieve that by hiring additional staff.”

4. Leverage networking and mentorship

Join business associations to connect and network with industry leaders. These leaders often have insider knowledge of grant opportunities and can notify you.

Your network doesn’t have to be limited to the cleaning service industry–institutions like NASE or entrepreneurs' networks in your city/state are valuable options.

Additionally, seek guidance and mentorship from past grant recipients. Reach out via LinkedIn or industry forums and ask about their application strategies. Learn from their success or mistakes to refine your approach. 

5. Invest in business management tools

Using digital tools, like Aspire’s cloud-based business management platform, to streamline scheduling, job tracking, invoicing, and business operations, keeps your janitorial business organized and strengthens the grant application. 

Here’s how: These tools generate reports demonstrating operational efficiency and financial stability, which grantors look for when awarding funds. 

By demonstrating a well-organized business, you increase your chances of securing funding. 

How Aspire supports janitorial businesses as they secure and manage grants

Think of Aspire as a companion, helping you optimize and centralize all your cleaning business operations. 

Instead of switching between several tools with different functions, Aspire provides end-to-end functionality with: 

• Streamlined financial tracking for grant applications: Cleaning businesses usually find keeping financial records a hassle. From noting equipment costs to service charges, licensing fees, invoicing records, and payslips, it can be a lot. 

  • Aspire centralizes financial records in a single location, making it easy to produce financial documentation quickly. The built-in accounting integration with popular platforms like QuickBooks and Acumatica also helps avoid errors in your financial data. 

• Operational efficiency that strengthens applications: Manage operational processes, such as project scheduling, invoicing, and employee management, with Aspire’s scheduling feature. 

You’ll be notified of new jobs in the pipeline and can assign them to a worker using a simple drag-and-drop interface. The interface also allows you to update or extend project schedules, track projects, and log materials used, labor hours, and subcontractor costs—all in one place.

Real-time analytics and data reporting: Gain insights into your cleaning business performance. Uncover the most profitable jobs, where demand is highest, and allocate the grant’s resources accordingly.

Aspire’s customizable reporting also lets you understand every aspect of your cleaning business—from top-performing workers to whether or not equipment is causing delays in real time. With this data, you eliminate guesswork and maximize the grand funds to generate more profit.

• Equipment management: Proactively manage your equipment to reduce service downtimes. Aspire tracks how long each tool has been in use and alerts you when it’s time for service. 

  • Aspire’s equipment management software produces reports for preventive maintenance, total repairs, maintenance schedules, depreciation, and equipment utilization. This information helps identify tools that require maintenance or replacement, ensuring the grant is put to good use. 

• Scalability to support business growth:  Aspire provides different tools—estimation and job costing—to help your cleaning business thrive. With the estimating tool, you can send accurate project proposals using established pricing and margins to ensure profitability.

Job costing lets you compare estimated costs for labor, materials, and other direct expenses to actual costs to measure the profitability of your service offerings.

These tools help you track profitability, enabling you to design a data-backed plan to maximize the grant. 

Aspire brings a lot to the table to streamline, centralize, and grow your cleaning business.

See it in action when you book a demo with Aspire to experience it first-hand.